PA Arab Hit by Tear Gas as Disturbances Continue

The Arabs are continuing their disturbances: a 20-year-old Palestinian Authority Arab was hit in the face by a tear gas canister fired by Israeli forces in northern Gaza, the Bethlehem-based Ma’an news agency reported on Friday.

Medics told the agency that the man, Adham ad-Dabaji, was wounded when Israeli forces fired high-velocity tear gas canisters at a group of PA Arabs north of Beit Lahiya.

He is being treated at a local hospital, the report said. A statement by the IDF quoted on Army Radio said that the incident took place when soldiers tried to disperse Arabs who came too close to the border fence and tried to damage it.

Another disturbance took place on Friday afternoon at the entrance to the community of Elazar in Gush Etzion. Arabs who arrived at the entrance gate of the community waved the PLO flag and called to release terrorist prisoners being held in Israeli prisons.

The Arabs claimed that the IDF dispersed the protesters, but not before a confrontation broke out between the parties. The IDF Spokesperson's Office confirmed to Channel 2 News that about 30 PA Arabs blocked the entrance to Elazar and were asked to leave, but said it was not aware of any clashes.

In a similar incident two weeks ago, a PA Arab man was shot dead by IDF troops in northern Gaza.

The IDF said of that incident that "dozens of Palestinians gathered near the security fence in northern Gaza. IDF forces who were present tried to disperse the Palestinians several times, but when they did not leave they fired at the leg of one of the suspects who had been causing damage to the fence."

Also two weeks ago, a 21-year-old PA Arab was shot to death by IDF forces south of Hevron as he was trying to infiltrate into Israel through the border fence.

In both Gaza and the PA-assigned areas of Judea and Samaria, Arabs have rioted and attempted to carry out terror attacks. In Judea and Samaria, PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas's security forces have failed to stop them as they had done in the past.

The incidents have led some to warn that a third Arab intifada (uprising) is in the works.

(Arutz Sheva’s North American Desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Arutz Sheva articles, however, is Israeli time.)